04-001 Tree Policy for the Town of TillsonburgTREE POLICY FOR THE TOVVN OF TILLSONBURG
I. Definitions
II. Mission Statement
III. Tree Committees
IV. Tree Removal
V. Tree Trimming
VI. Tree Planting and Replacement
VII. Tree Protection
VIII. Tree Inventory & Nursery
IX. Public Awareness & Participation
X. Policy Change
Part I -Definitions
1. "Boulevard" shall mean that portion of every highway and roadway within the
limits of the Town that is not used as a sidewalk or as a traveled roadway, along
with all other municipally owned property such as parks parkettes and cemeteries.
2. "Tree or Trees" shall include all trees, shrubs, and saplings now or hereafter
planted or left growing in or on a boulevard.
3. Persons --shall refer to individuals and not the Corporation.
4. TAC -shall refer to members of the Tree Advisory Committee.
5. Town's contractor -shall refer to any qualified contractor contracted by the town
to assist with tree evaluation, planting, trimming and removal.
Part II-Mission Statement (Objective)
Every attempt shall be made to:
1. Preserve and enhance the existing tree population on Boulevards and streetscapes
focusing on the mature Carolinian trees, in a way that will be suitable aesthetic and
provide, at the same time, a practical base of high shade for the Town.
GOALS
2. Encourage members of the general public to involve themselves in the
preservation, planting, and maintenance of trees on private property to achieve the
following goals:
• Conserve hydro
• To improve sun safoty
• Improve the environment
• Beautify the Town of Tillsonburg
Part III -Committee
1. The Tree Advisory Committee (henceforth referenced as T.A.C.)
a) The Commission will establish a Tree Advisory Committee to meet from time to time
to discuss and recommend Tree promotion and policy.
b) The Committee shall be composed of
-staff representative from Operations
-staff representative from Community Services -Parks,
-A member of the Chamber of Commerce and or the BIA at their
discretion
-Five members of the general public appointed by Council
c) As well as working towards the general objectives of the policy, the Committee shall
be responsible for implementing Part IX of the Tree Policy-Public Awareness and
Participation.
d) A chairperson shall be elected from within the Committee at its first meeting of each
new calendar year.
e) The Committe,e may make recommendations to advise on planting locations and major
planning at the end of the year.
The following policies (Parts IV, V, VI) shall be followed by any town representative
engaged in tree removal, trimming, planting and replacement.
Part IV -Tree Removal
Trees shall only be removed on boulevards where necessary due to death or decay (as
determined by thi~ appropriate by the staff member or the town's contractor); driveway
installation and boulevard parking; street widening, sidewalk construction, utility
installation and maintenance, builc.ing construction, underground servicing. Town staff
will make decisions regarding other situations not specifically covered in these policies
with recommendations from the T.A.C.
1. Notification
a) The appropriate member of town staff or the town's contractor shall post a notice on
the tree or trees involved; of any intended tree removal. This acknowledgement in no way
obliges the Town nor does it accept any liability for future action or expense. T.A.C. will
also be notified.
b) Concerned citizens may respond to town either directly or via correspondence through
the Customer Service Centre. T.A.C. will be copied on above.
c) Where a number of trees are to be removed in a block and it appears that the character
of the street will be affected, all re:;idents in the block shall be advised and, where
deemed necessary, a meeting will be held to explain the situation.
d) Wherever it is deemed expedient in the public interest to remove any tree due to an
emergency or hazard situation (which for the purpose of this policy would be a potential
danger to persons and/or property) the appropriate department member of Town may
remove such a tree without written notification to the owner or occupant of the abutting
property.
e) The member of town staff initia-:ing the process of tree removal shall advise the body
of TAC prior to action being taken except in an emergency situation when TAC will be
notified after an emergency situation.
2. Trees to be Removed
a) The appropriate town staff or town's contractor shall assume the cost of removal for all
trees which in the opinion of the member body require removal due to death, decay or
deterioration condition, or present a hazard to the public.
b) Town staff or the town's contractor will review questionable trees prior to removal a
report will be sent forward to TAC for review.
d) Trees to be Removed Due to Street Widening, Sidewalk Construction, Utility
Installation and Maintenance
i. When any work is pending, T.A.C. shall advised and a report will be prepared
to show how the proposed project will be completed, and what efforts will be
taken in an effort to minim:.ze damage or disruption to the trees involved.
ii. The trees so affected shall be removed in accordance with the policies as
contained in clauses 1 and 2.
e) Trees to be Removed Which Have Caused Damage to Curbs and Sidewalks, Buildings
Construction, Roots in Underground Services and Other Situations.
i. In general, the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg accepts no liability for
damage to sidewalks, driveways, foundation walls, patios, etc. supposedly caused
by tree roots. If it is found to be necessary to remove a tree for this reason, it will
be removed according to the policies as contained in clause 1 and 2.
ii. Trees on Town property that may interfere with proposed building construction
would be assessed by the pDlicies as contained in clause 1 and 2.
iii. Tree problems involving roots in underground services shall be evaluated on
an individual basis. If a tree is in a sound condition and of an acceptable variety, it
shall not be removed unless its position is such that it will impede replacement of
the underground services. If it requires removal, it shall be done according to the
policies as contained in clause 1 and 2.
f) Tree Removal and Trimming on Private Property
In general, Town staff or the Town's contractor shall not trim or remove trees on
private property. The Town shall obtain written consent from the property owner
prior to commencing trimming or removal of private trees, except when an
emergency condition exist~:. The TAC shall be notified in writing of requests for
removal of private trees.
Part V -Tree Trimming
1. All trimming shall take into consideration the aesthetic value of the location and
continued health of the tree(s) involved.
2. Only authorized personnel of th~ appropriate Town staff or the town's contractors shall
trim or prune trees on Town boulevards.
3. In general. trimming is done for overhead line clearing purposes, to improve street
lighting, traffic signals at intersections and/or signage obstruction and storm damage and
as required after tree inspection.
4. All trimming and pruning shall be done in accordance with the Occupational Health
and Safety Act.
Part VI-Tree Planting and Replacement
I .An active policy of tree planting and replacement shall be maintained by T.A.C. After
yearly consultation, each department with representation on
T.A.C. shall appropriate reasonabl~ funds to carry out the planting policy.
2. Only Town staff or the Town's contractors shall plant trees on Town boulevards.
3. Only those species of trees (see Appendix) will be planted that are suitable to thrive in
this zone and that meet the following criteria:
a. Suitable for location see Appendix
b. Require minimal maintenance
c. Maximize existing budget
d. Do not pose undue clean-up
4. In general, town staff or the town's contractors shall replace each tree with 2 trees in
the general geographic area where the existing trees were removed, such trees having a
minimum caliper of 50mm (2 inches) and 250 cm (8 feet) in height, depending on
available space and variety of trees.
5. In new areas of the Town, town staff or the town's contractors will attempt to plant
trees with a appropriate spacing based on species, keeping in mind street lighting and
other requirements.
6. Trees shall not be planted until utilities are checked and curbs, gutters, and sidewalks
installed.
7. In addition to the regulation of public property planting all developers of private
subdivisions will submit a landscaping or planting plan to Town of Tillsonburg for
approval.
Part VII-Tree Protection
1. No person or private body :;hall:
a) Willfully or maliciously injure, hurt, deface, tear, cut, destroy or break or cut
down any tree, shrub or plant, or any box, stake or other guard or device installed
for the protection and pres(;:rvation of any tree, shrub or plant upon a boulevard.
b) Post or attach notices, signs, advertising devices or any object or thing on trees
upon a boulevard or otherwise deface such trees that would injure or destroy the
tree.
c) Use or occupy a boulevard for any purpose whatsoever causing damage or
injury to trees, shrubs or plants upon the boulevard, or to the surface or subsurface
of such boulevard.
d) Undertake work of any kind whatsoever, over, upon or under a boulevard that
may cause injury or damage to a tree, shrub or plant upon a boulevard without
having first obtained the approval of the Town.
e) Willfully or maliciously break, injure, deface, dig up, remove or destroy a
boulevard or the soil, subsurface or sod thereof or dump, deposit or store upon a
boulevard, material of any kind whatsoever, including garbage or refuse.
f) Tap maple trees and otht::r trees on public property.
2. Every person who contravenes ~ection VII is guilty of an offence and on summary
conviction is liable to a fine of not less that $800.00 and not more than $15,000.00
exclusive of costs, and is liable to an action at the suit of the Town to make good any
damages caused and this by-law may be enforced and the penalties thereunder recovered
in a like manner as by-laws of municipal Councils and the penalties hereunder may be
enforced and recovered, and every fine so imposed shall belong to the Town and placed
in the tree account.
Part VIII-Tree Inventory
I .Annual record keeping shall be carried out to identify trees removed and planted and
reported to TAC.
Part IX -General Suggestions and Direction for Enhancing Public Awareness and
Participation
-Promote Educational programmes in Town schools through the Board
of Education.
-Liaison with likt: minded authorities such as the Long Point Region
Conservation Authority, the oxford Men of Trees, and the Ontario Shade
Tree Council.
-Promote May 15th of each year as Arbour Day.
-Promote an "adopt a tree" programme.
-Promote a "memorial tree planting" programme.
-Promote the Arboretums
-Initiate Planting Bees
TREES PROHIBITED
WILLOWS (Salix)
POPLARS (Populus)
APPENDIX "A"
AILANTHUS (Ailanthus Altissima')
CHINESE ELM (Ulmus Parvifolia)
HONEY LOCUST (Gledit:;ia Triacanthos)
MULBERRIES (Moms)
BOX ELDER/MANITOBA MAPLE (AcerNegundo)
ASH (Fraxinus)
RUSSIAN OLIVE (Elaeagnus Angiustifolia)
CRIMSON KING
HORSE CHESTNUT (Aesculus Hippocastanum)
SIL VER MAPLE (Acer Saccharinum)
AMERICAN ELM (Ulmm Americana)
GINKGO OR MAIDENHAIR TREE (Ginkgo Biloba)-Female Variety
BLACK WALNUT (Junglans Nigra)
TREES TEMPORARILY BANNED
NORWAY MAPLE (Acer Platanoides)
AUSTRIAN PINE (Pinus Nigra)
ASH (Fraxinus)
TREES RECOMMENDED
ON BOULEY ARD PLANTING
STREET PLANTING SMALL STREET TREES
SWEET GUM (Liquidambar Styrnciflua)
SERVICEBERRY (Amerlanchier Canadensis)
IVORY SILK LILAC (Syringa 'hory Silk')
ORNAMENTAL CRABAPPLE (Malus 'White Angel')
EASTERN REDBUD (Cercis Canadensis)
LITTLE LEAF LINDEN (Tilia Cc,rdata)
GLENLEVEN LINDEN (Tilia 'O:enleven')
BLUE BEECH (Carpinus Caroliniana)
STREET PLANTING LARGE STREET TREES
NORTHERN CATALPA (Catalpc. Speciosa)
HORSE CHESTNUT (Aesculus 'Baumannii')
HONEY LOCUST (Gleditsia Tricmthos var. inermis)
EUROPEAN BEECH (Fagus Syhatica)
KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE (Gymnocladus Dioica)
BASSWOOD (Tilia Americana)
TULIP TREE (LiriodendronTulipifera)
BLACK MAPLE (Acer Nigrum)
SUGAR MAPLE (Acer Saccharun)
RED MAPLE (Acer Rubrum)
WHITE OAK (Quercus Alba)
BUR OAK (Quercus Macrocarpa)
CHESTNUT OAK (Quercus Prinus)
NORTHERN RED OAK (Quercm, Rubra)
BLACK OAK (Quercus Velutina)
SCARLET OAK (Quercus Coccinea)
HACKBERRY (Celtis Occidentalis)
AMERICAN SYCAMORE (Plata:ms Occidentalis)
WHITE ASH (Fraxinus American.1)
BLACK ASH (Fraxinus Nigra)
GREEEN ASH (Fraxinus Pennsybanica)
YELLOW WOOD (Cladrastis Lut~a)
STREET PLANTING (DOWNTOWN)
Pyramidal Pyrus
Quercus
Fagus
RAVINE MARGIN & UPLANU PARKS
ALL MAPLES LISTED ABOVE
ALL OAKS LISTED ABOVE
EASTERN REDBUD (Cercis Canadensis)
FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus Florida)
PAGODA DOGWOOD (Cornus Alternifolia)
WITCH HAZEL (Hammamelis)
COMMON SASSAFRAS (Sassafras)
AMERICAN BASSWOOD (Tilia Americana)
EASTERN WHITE PINE (Pinus Strobus)
AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus Grandifolia)
EASTERN HEMLOCK (Tsuga Canadensis)
BLACK LOCUST (Robinia Pseudoacacia)
DOWNEY SERVICEBERRY (Arnelanchier Arbor)
KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE (Gymnocladus Dioicus)
QUAKING ASPEN (Populus Trernuloides)
EASTERN HOPHORNBEAM (Ostrya Virginiana)
CHOKECHERRY (Prunus Virginiana)
CHINQUAPIN OAK (Quercus M11ehlenberg)
PIN OAK (Quercus Palustris)
NORTHERN PIN OAK (Quercus Ellipsoidallis)
AMERICA MOUNTAIN ASH (Sorbus American)
SHAGBARK HICKORY (Carya Ovata)
BIITERNUT HICKORY (Carya Cordiformis)
EASTERN RED CEDAR (Junipems Virginiana)
RED PINE (Pinus Resinosa)
RA VINE BOTTOMS AND STREAM MARGINS
WITCH HAZEL (Hammamelis)
COMMON SASSAFRAS (Sassafras)
HEMLOCK (Tsuga Canadensis)
OSAGE ORANGE (Madura Pomifera)
SHINING WILLOW (Salix Lucidi)
AMERICAN SYCAMORE (Platat1us Occidentali)
BLACK GUM OR TUPELO (Nyssa Sylvatica)
YELLOW BIRCH (Betula Alleghaniensis)
PAPER BIRCH (Betula Papyrifera)
GRAY BIRCH (Betula Populifolia)
SWEET BIRCH (Betula Lenta)
YELLOW ALDER (Alnus)
SW AMP WHITE OAK (Quercus BiColor)
BLACK WALNUT (Juglans Nigra)
NORThERN WHITE CEDAR (Thuja Occidentalis)
TAMARA CK (Larix Laricina)
CUCUMBER TREE (Magnolia A:uminata)
PAWPAW (Asimina Triloba)
EASTERN REDBUD (Cercis Canadensis)
FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Comus Florida)
WINDBREAKS AND SCREEN:~
EASTERN WHITE PINE (Pinus ~:trobus)
NORThERNWHITE CEDAR (Thuja Occidentalis)
WHITE SPRUCE (Picea Glauca)
NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea Abies)